Eric often tells me I live in Fantasyland. Sometimes I come up with detailed plans for living on minimal income just so we might be able to eat bread and cheese in Italy for a few weeks – and then move on to Germany to sip some delicious beer for hours on end. I talk about living in the woods but having all of the people we love super close – as well as all of the best conveniences of the world available should we decide we can’t live without them. I concoct stories about our days wandering between our perfeclty manicured (and imaginary) backyard, our refreshing (and imaginary) heated outdoor swimming pool, and our relaxing (and, yes, imaginary) hammock set up under perfect trees in the perfect light on the most perfect day. Did I mention the backyard borders some of the best nature trails around that only we, the residents of the most leisurely place around, have access to? And that our pool boy also makes killer lemonade?
So, sometimes I want to sleep in a tent and hike in the woods for months on end. And sometimes I pretend to be Top Chef – with the world lining up around the block awaiting my creations.
But, sometimes – well, more usually – I’m brought back to reality and I realize that I don’t need any of those big, lavish ideas to be happy. All I need are the little things to keep me going.
This week, my little thing was the package of blackberries Eric brought home from the grocer. I love preparing fresh fruit and making it look pretty and inviting. It really makes me happy – almost strangely happy. And then I love to eat the fresh fruit. And smile knowing that is the most perfect thing I could be doing at that moment in time. So here’s to berries – and the little things in life.
